HAVANA , Cuba -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands gathered in the Cuban capital on Sunday to pay their respects to one of Cuba 's few remaining original revolutionaries , Juan Almeida , who according to state media died of a heart attack Friday evening .

Cubans wait Sunday at Havana 's Revolution Plaza to pay respects to deceased Cuban revolutionary Juan Almeida .

A single column of people stretched around Havana 's Revolution Square in a well-coordinated show of solidarity and remembrance during what state media reported as a national day of mourning .

President Raul Castro and other top government officials were reportedly on hand , though elder brother and former Communist leader Fidel Castro -- not seen in public since abdominal surgery in 2006 -- did not make an appearance .

Almeida , 82 , fought alongside Fidel Castro and was among only a handful of surviving Cuban leaders who still bore the title `` Commander of the Revolution . '' Watch as Cubans remember Juan Almeida ''

Widely admired among Cuban nationals , Almeida participated in the failed attacks on the Moncada army barracks in 1953 . He was aboard the famed yacht `` Granma , '' that carried the small group of Cuban rebels who would later topple U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista .

A vice president and member of the Communist government Central Committee , Almeida was among only a few black leaders in top government posts .

`` This shows how we 're all participants in our revolution and there is nothing that sets you apart , '' said Havana resident Fernando , who declined to give his last name . `` Not color , nor religion , '' he added .

Almeida 's death underscores the mortality of an aging cast of Cuba 's revolutionary leaders .

Widespread speculation surrounding the health of Fidel Castro grew in 2006 after he underwent abdominal surgery and later ceded the presidency to his younger brother , Raul .

The elder Castro recently surfaced in a series of photos and video looking healthier , though he has not appeared in public in over three years .

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Cuban revolutionary Juan Almeida died of a heart attack Friday evening

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Thousands gathered in the Cuban capital on Sunday to pay their respects

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He was among only a few black leaders in top government posts

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Almeida fought with the Castros at the start of their revolution